Switch



April 8, 1941. c, WESCHCKE 2,237,464

SWITCH Filed April 13, 1938 Ji atented All 7 1941 OFFICE ill tjlairns.

My invention relates to an improvement in switches wherein it is desiredto provide a simple type or malre and brealr switch having snap action,

Numerous types of snap switches have been constructed most oi whichrequire the assembly oi": a number of parts in the formation thereof.While these prior constructions have been me chanically fit toaccomplish the desired result, they are usually quite complicated inconstruc tion and costly to manuiacture.

it is the object of the present invention to provide a make and brealtswitch which corinprises very few parts and which entrernely simple tomanufacture and to assemble. the parts may be simply constructed by eatsmachines and devices so that little or no specla machinery is necessaryin the formation oi my switch it is the purpose of my invention toprovide i snap switch having" a simple action and whicl. embodies aslidable resilient member which Slit." both on the surface oi aconductor and upon the surface of an insulation member. The move ment ofthe slidable member train the contact to the insulated portion isaccomplished by a snap action which quiclrly makes and brealrs thecontact, thereby preventing arcing of the current.

it is a purpose oi the present invention provide a simple switch whichmay be operated to turn the switch into closed position by a simplesliding movement and to release the switch or to open the same bycontinuing the sliding action in the same direction.

lit is an added purpose of my invention to pro-- vide a simple switchwhich may close progres sively a series of separate circuits and then toreturn to open position. This action may be accomplished by movement ora slidable member continuously in a single direction.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specificz-ttion and claims.

in the drawing forming a part of my invention:

Figure l is a sectional View through switch housing at a point above themechani: i thereof to show the relationship of parts th 1 t Figure 2 isa view similar to Figure i showing the parts of the switch'in adifferent relation-- ship.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 but showing the parts ofthe switch in slightly different relationship,

Figure i is a cross-sectional view through the Ail til? switch taken ona line indicated by the line 44 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the switch casing showing therelationship of parts oi a modified form of construction.

Figure e is a cross-sectional View on a line indicated by t--t oi liigin'e 5.

Figure l is a slightly different modification of switch operatingconstruction shown in a view similar to Figure l.

The switch rt. illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and l is provided with ahollow casing it which is shown rectangular in shape but which may be ofany desired shape or size. it permits the mechanism of the switch to beopened for inspection One side it of the casing it may be considered thebase of the switch as the sliding action of the switch takes place uponthis side ill.

coil spring ill is mounted by means of a bolt i l or other suitablemeans to one side it of the frame it overlying the base it. The springit mounted adjacent a second side or the frame which in the formdisclosed is the removable side il. Nuts iii are provided on the bolt itto hold the bolt in place and to provide a means of securing a conductorthereto.

The end oi the spring it opposite that secured to the frame it by thebolt it is provided with a transversely extending arm Ill which overliesthe base it and which is provided with a downwardly extending end it.This downwardly extending end it rides upon the surface of the base itformed of insulating material. A contact plate it is secured to the baseit by means of the bolt it. The bolt it extends out of the casing itthrough the base it and may be secured to a suitable conductor formingthe other lead to the switch A. The plate Ell is recessed into the basealong one edge 2? thereof as best illustrated in Figure i of thedrawing, so that in the travel of the end it of the arm ill on thespring l3, this end I9 will drop off of the insulation material formingthe base it and into contact with the end 22 of the plate it. A shoulder23 of insulating material is formed between the edge 22 of the plate 20and the surface of the base l2 and this shoulder 23 holds the spring l3from return ing into the position illustrated in Figure 1 after thespring has been moved into the position illustrated in Figure 2.

A push button 24 is provided for moving the spring I3. This push button24 may if desired engage a flat spring 25 positioned along the edge ofthe removable side ll. This spring 25 engages A removable side thespring I3 to move the same. The button 24 extends through an opening inthe side II of the housing I9 and a flange 26 on the end of the buttonholds the same from being forced entirely out through this opening inthe side II.

A cam projection or shoulder 21 projects upwardly from the base I2 andextends along the edge of the plate 20. This shoulder 21 is engaged bythe end I9 of the arm I1 in the movement of the spring I3 and the end I9is held in contact with the plate 20 by this shoulder 21. A spring 29illustrated in Figure 4 and in dotted outline in Figure 1 of the drawingengages the top of the arm I1 during a portion of its movement holdingthe end I9 in contact with the plate 25.

In the operation of this switch the normal open position of the same isshown in Figure 1 of the drawing. To close the circuit passing throughthe switch A, it is necessary to depress the button 24, thereby bendingor flexing the spring 25 if such a spring is used, and urging the springI3 into position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. During this movementthe end I9 of the arm I1 on the spring I3 slides over the surface of theinsulation base I2, flnally dropping over the shoulder 23 intoengagement with the conductor plate 20. The spring 29 may be desirablein holding the arm I1 in engagement with the plate 20, but if it isdesired this spring 29 may be eliminated and the natural resiliency ofthe spring I3 and arm I1 will hold the end I9 in engagement with theplate 26. The shoulder 23 prevents the spring I3 from flexing back intothe position illustrated in Figure 1 by engaging the end I9. 3

When it is desired to open the switch circuit, the button 24 isdepressed a greater amount as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.During this movement the end I9 of the spring I1 slides along theinclined surface of the plate 26 and is held in engagement with theplate 26 by engagement with the shoulder or cam 21. The cam or shoulder21 flexes the arm I1 so that the end I9 thereof action from engagementwith the contact plate 20 to a position substantially spaced therefrom.

After the arm I1 has snapped off from the plate 20, the button 24 isreleased and the spring I3 assumes the position illustrated in Figure 1of the drawing. In the return movement of the spring I3, the arm I1engages the reverse side of the cam 21, finally passing this cam 21 andmoving into position shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Figures and 6 of the drawing illustrate a modified form of constructionand disclose a switch B having a casing 30 which may be similar to thecasing ID. A spring 3I is secured by a bolt 32 and nuts 33 thereupon toone wall 34 of the casing 30. The free end of the spring 3| is providedwith an arm 35 overlying the base 36 of the housing 30. A downwardlyextending end 31 is provided on the arm 35 which end 31 slides over thesurface of the base 36. A series of contact plates 39, 40, and 4|respectively, are angularly positioned in the base 36 so as to provideshoulders 42 adjacent each contact plate. The angular position of theplates 39, 40, and 4| acts to raise the end 31 up to the level of thesurface of the base 36. A spring 43 may engage the arm 35 during thetime the end 31 is in contact with the contact plates 39, 46, and 4i.This spring 43 adds to the natural resiliency of the material formingthe same. A push button 44 is provided ior bending the spring 3i and afiat spring 45 may be interposed between the spring 31 and the button 44if desired. This spring 45, while not necessary acts to distribute theforce of the movement of the button 44 against the spring 45 when used,and also acts to hold the button 34 normally in inoperative position. Ashoulder 436 on the button 4 3 limits the outward movement of the sameas it slides in its aperture through the side 41 of the housing Inoperation separate conductors 49, 5t, and 56, respectively, are securedto the contact plates 39, 46, and M. When in open position the switch Bis normally in the position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing.Depression of the button l will flex the spring 3i to-move the end 3i ofthe arm 35 over the surface of the base 36 until it drops over theshoulder t2 into engagement with the contact plate 39. A circuit isclosed through the switch from the bolt 32 to the conductor I9.Additional depression of the button 44 will act to slide the end 31 ofthe arm 35 over the contact plate 39 and a portion of the base 36,separating the contact plates 39 and 40 until the end 31 drops intoengagement with the contact plate 40. The end 31 will be held in thisposition in engagement with the contact plate 40 closing a circuit fromthe bolt 32 to the conductor 55 until the push button M is furtherdepressed.

Additional depression of the push button 44 will flex the spring 3I andurge the end 31 of the arm 35 over the surface of the contact plate 46and over a portion of the surface of the base 36 until this end 31 dropsover the shoulder 42 into contact with the contact plate 4I.- A circuitwill then be closed from the bolt 32 to'the conductor 5i.

Further depression of the button 44 will cause the end 39 to ride up thesurface of the contact plate 4I until the end 31 reaches a positionflush with or slightly above the surface of the base 35. Simultaneously,with this movement the end 31 will move beyond the cam 53 or shoulderwhich has been instrumental in holding the end 31 in contact with thevarious contact plates. During the movement of the end 31 over theseplates 39, 40, and M, the end 31 has engaged the cam projection 53 whichacts to flex the arm 35. Upon movement of the end 31 past the projection53 the resiliency of the arm 35 and the spring 3I will snap the end 31"over the surface of the base 36 quickly moving the end 31 fromcontacting engagement with the plate 4| to non-contacting position. Thebutton 44 may then be released and the spring 3| moves into the normalposition illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing, the end 31 engaging theopposite surface of the projection or cam 53 in this return movement.

In Figure '1 of the drawing, I have disclosed a type of switch C whichis similar in construction to that shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 withthe exception that a pull chain is provided in place of the button 44.In this construction, a coil spring 54 is secured by a bolt 55 to theinsulation housing 56. An arm 51 on the free end of the spring 54 isprovided with a downwardly extending end 59 engageable with theinsulation answer,

surface lit forming a part of the casing 86. A pull chain iii is securedat 52 to the free end of the spring lid so as to bend this spring. Adownward pull on the pull chain or cord Bl causes the end all to engagewith the contact plate 63 which is recessed into the surface 60 in themanner shown in Figure lof the drawing. A further downward pull on thechain or cord 6! will flex the arm i past the cam projection 84 so thatwhen the chain or cord ti is released, the spring 54 will assume thenormal position illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawing in which positionthe circuit through the switch is broken.

It may be seen that my switch may be actuated by a push button or a pullchain or cord. any lever arrangement or any other device for bending thespring within the switch may be used in place of the specific meansdisclosed. in every form, however, it will be seen that a snap action isprovided both in closing the switch and in opening the same and that apull in a single direction will act to both open the switch and to closethe same.

Although I have illustrated a series of preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be readily understood that various changes com ingwithin the spirit of my invention may sug gest themselves to thoseslillled in the art, and hence I do not wish to be limited to thespecific form shown or uses mentioned except to the extent indicated inthe appended claims which are to be interpreted as broadly as the stateof the art will permit.

claim:

i. ll switch comprising a substantially flat insulation base, a coilspring mounted at one end to overlie said base and having a free end, acontact end on the free end of said spring resili ently engaging saidbase, the flexing of said spring moving said contact end in apredetermined path of said base, said base having a notch therein in thepath movement of said contact end into which said and may resilientlyengage, said spring flexing in one direction, con tact means in saidnotch engageable with said end, and cam means flexing said contact endin another direction to hold said contact end in en gagement with saidcontact for a predetermined movement of the same and to permit saidcontact end to disengage said contact with a snap action.

.2. a switch. comprising a substantially flat in sulatlon base, aresilient member spring urged into contact with said base and movablethere over, said base having a step notch formed therein in the path ofmovement of said resilient member, a contact means in said step notch,and cam means projecting above said base engaging said resilient memberand flexing the same in a plane substantially at right angles to thedirection of flexing of said resilient member as it moves into said stepnotch.

3. A switch comprising a substantially flat insulation base, a resilientcontact arm resiliently flexible in a plane substantially parallel'tosaid base and also in a direction substantially normal to said base,means supporting said contact arm slidable over said base andresiliently urged thereagainst, means on said base flexing said contactarm in a plane parallel to said base and guiding said contact armthrough an endless path, said base including a step notch therein insaid endless path intowhich said arm is resiliently urged, movingsubstantially normal to the plane of said base, and contact means insaid step notch.

i. A switch comprising a substantially fiat insulation base, a resilientcontact arm resiliently flexible in a plane substantially parallel tosaid base and also in a direction substantially normal to said base,means supporting said contact arm slidable over said base andresiliently urged thereagainst, means on said base guiding said contactarm through an endless path, flexing said arm in a plane substantiallyparallel to said base; said base having a step notch therein in saidendless path, said step notch causing said arm to flex in a directionsubstantially normal to said plane, and contact means in said notch.

5. A switch comprising an insulation base, a flexible resilient contactarm slidable over said base and resiliently urged thereagainst, meansflexing said contact arm. along a plane substantlally parallel to saidbase, said armsliding upon said base, means in the path of movement ofsaid contact arm when flexed to guide said arm along one path whenflexed by said flexing means and guiding said arm along a second pathwhen said fielding means is released, said base having a step notchtherein in said one path, said arm flexing into said step notch, movingsaid arm in a direction substantially normal to said plane.

6. A switch comprising an insulation base having a flat surface, aflexible resilient contact arm slidable over said fiat surface of saidbase and resiliently urged thereagainst, meansfor flexing said arm outof normal position, sliding said arm in a plane substantially parallelto said flat surface, cam means engaging said arm as it is flexed bysaid flexing means and guiding said arm along one predetermined path ofmove-- ment, said cam means disengaging said arm upon continued flexingthereof, cam means engaging said disengaged arm as the same springsbaclr toward normal position to guide said arm along a secondpredetermined path of movement, said base having a step notch therein insaid one path of movement into which said arm may spring, and contactmeans in said step notch.

l. switch comprising an insulating base having a substantially flatsurface, a flexible resilient arm mounted in a normal position andslidable over said flat surface and urged against the same under springtension, means for flexing said arm along a plane substantially parallelsaid fiat surface, means engageable with said arm for deflecting saidarm along one path of movement as the arm is flexed, and for deflectingsaid arm along another path of movement as said arm is released to moveback into normal position, said base flat surface having a step notchtherein including a stop shoulder to prevent said arm from movingrearwardly over said one path of movement, and contact means in saidstep notch.

ii. a. switch comprising an insulating base having a substantially flatsurface, a flexible resilient arm mounted in normal position above saidsurface, a contact end on said arm pressed against said surface by theresiliency of said arm, means for deflecting said arm in a planesubstantially parallel said surface, said contact end thereof slidingover said surface, means for defleeting said arm along one path ofmovement as said arm is flexed by said flexing means, said arm returningto normal position by reason of its resiliency, means engaging said armduring return movement or said arm to deflect said contact end along asecond path of movement, said base having a step notch therein in saidone path of movement, the resilience of said arm urging said contact endthereinto, and contact means in said step notch.

9. A switch comprising an insulating base hav.

,ing a substantially flat surface thereupon, a

said arm for deflecting said arm along one path of movement as the armis flexed, and for deflecting said arm along another path as said arm isunfiexed, said base having a step notch therein into which said arm maydrop, moving in a direction substantially normal to said surface,auxiliary spring means engaging said arm when said arm is engaged insaid notch to supplement the pressure of saidarm against said base, andcontact means on. said base in said notch.

CARL WESCHCKE.

